On 16 September, the ZELDA project — Zero-waste Lignocellulose-Derived biorefinery products for smArt plant protection — officially began its journey. Funded by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU), ZELDA aims to develop a new generation of bio-based solutions for crop protection.
By valorising lignocellulosic biomasses within a zero-waste biorefinery model, the project seeks to provide sustainable alternatives to synthetic pesticides, safeguarding plants, people, and the planet. Through smart bio-based formulations that act as immune boosters and microbicides, coupled with AI-powered precision farming for optimized delivery, ZELDA will test its solutions from the laboratory to the field across Europe.
The kick-off meeting was as symbolic as it was inspiring. Partners introduced themselves while passing around a ball of yarn—an act that quite literally wove a web of connections, mirroring ZELDA’s mission to link people, knowledge, and action for a greener, more resilient food system.
Technical presentations and roadmaps for the implementation of the Work Packages followed, enabling the Consortium to establish a clear and coherent pathway for carrying out key activities during the first six months of the project.
Coordinated by Université Libre de Bruxelles, the project brings together partners from across Europe, including Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Eurofins Agroscience Services Regulatory Gmbh, Universitaet Graz, Centro De Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnologicas de Extremadura, Consorzio Italbiotec, Aermatica 3D Srl, FVA – New Media Research, Timac Agro Dungemittelproduktions Und Handels Gmbh, Centro De Investigaciones Energeticas Medioambientales y Tecnologicas, Kineton Srl, Universidade de Aveiro.
With collaboration, innovation, and sustainability at its core, ZELDA sets out to redefine the future of farming — proving that protecting crops can go hand in hand with protecting our Planet!
